If you’ve been looking forward to making your stance on Rowan County issues known at the ballot box, your opportunity is just about six weeks away. The primary is May 6.
The Rowan County Chamber of Commerce had a full house last Thursday at its first candidate forum of the season, a breakfast held at Trinity Oaks. Eight Republicans and two Democrats briefly introduced themselves and answered a few questions from Dr. Michael Bitzer of Catawba College.
If the energy and enthusiasm in that room are any indication, interest in the commissioners’ race may be at an all-time high.
Two more people are working on getting on the ballot as unaffiliated candidates. Had they gathered the signatures they need to do so, they would have been included, too, chamber officials say.
At any rate, three seats on the county commission are up for election — the majority of the board. Before we get to the May 6 primary, there are some other important dates to keep in mind.
• Friday, April 11 is the deadline for registration. If you have never voted (or haven’t voted for a long, long time), you must register at the Rowan County Board of Elections, 130 W. Innes St., by April 11 if you want to vote in the primary. Also, if you want to change your party affiliation for the primary, you must do so by April 11.
• Tuesday, April 15 is another candidate forum — actually two forums at one. Starting at 5:30 p.m., there will be one session for the two Republican candidates for the 77th state House seat, followed by another for Republican county commission candidates. It will be held at Catawba College’s Tom Smith Auditorium, moderated by Bitzer and co-hosted by the Salisbury Post, Catawba College and the Rowan County Chamber of Commerce.
Suggest questions for the candidates by emailing editor@salisburypost.com or calling Editor Elizabeth Cook at 704-797-4244. We’ll share them with Bitzer and may use some of them in the paper as well.
• Thursday, April 24 is when early voting begins. If you want to avoid possible lines on Primary Day or you have to be out of town that day, you can vote early. This goes on through Saturday, May 3. There are three locations: Rowan Public Library, 208 W. Fisher St.; Rockwell American Legion, 8580 Highway 52, Rockwell; and South Branch, Rowan Public Library, 920 Kimball Road, China Grove.
Momentum is building toward moving Rowan County forward with fresh ideas and new leadership. But it won’t happen if voters aren’t informed and motivated to vote. Spread the word. The primaries coming up May 6 are crucial.